Self-illuminating diablo top

ABSTRACT

A self-illuminated diablo top having the illuminated end portions completely detachable as a unit including the battery, bulb, and switch for completing the contact between the battery and bulb when the diablo is rotated at a sufficient speed. The remaining portions of the diablo can be used as, for instance, in the daytime with the illuminated portions detached.

United States Patent [1 1 Wang 1111 3,745,697 l l July 17,1973

{221 Filed:

[ SELF-ILLUMINATING DIABLO TOP [76] Inventor: Wensan Wang, P. O. Box 4082,

Berkley, Calif. 94704 Nov. 12, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 198,240

[52] US. Cl 46/228, 46/60 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/26 [58] Field of Search 46/228, 60

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,836,009 4/1958 Wang 46/60 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 46/60 Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney-Berman, Davidson and Herman [57] v ABSTRACT I A self-illuminated diablo top having the illuminated end portions completely detachable as a unit including the battery, bulb, and switch for completing the contact between the battery and bulb when the diablo is rotated at a sufficient speed. The remaining portions of the diablo can be used as, for instance, in the daytime with the illuminated portions detached.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SELF-ILLUMINATING- DIABLO TOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a self-illuminated diablo top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The diablo top includes a central string-engaging portion and a pair of drum-shaped portions securedly attached to each end thereof. The central portion, has a bore to receive a battery case extension of an illuminating element detachably secured thereto.

The illuminating element includes a battery in the battery case, a bulb, a translucent cover and a centrifugally operated switch for completing the circuit between the bulb and the battery during spinning movement of the diablo.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a unitary self-illuminating attachment for a diablo which may be attached to the diablo for use at night and detached for use in the daytime.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS showing the relationship of the detachable light members to the diablo.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral figures,-the reference numeral indicates generally a self-illuminating diablo constructed in accordance with the invention.

The diablo 10 includes a central shaft member 11 having a groove 12 formed intermediate the opposite ends thereof for engagement with a diablo string.

The shaft 11 has a bore 13 formed in each end thereof and threaded at 14 adjacent the inner end thereof.

The shaft 11 is annularly recessed at 15 at each end thereof to support a drum l6 rigidly mounted thereon. The drum 16 has a plurality of compartments 17, 18, 19, and 20 to form sounding boxes therein. A slot 21 is formed in the periphery of the drum [6 opening into each of the compartments 17, 18, 19 and 20 for reasons to be assigned.

A self-illuminating unit is indicated generally at 22 and includes a relatively flat disc 23 having a diameter equal to that of the drum 16. The disc 23 has a cylindrical battery case 24 rigidly secured thereto and extending axially therefrom. A flange 25 is rigidly secured to the disc 23 on the outer edge thereof with the flange 25 extending oppositely of the battery case 24. The bat- 'tery case 24 is threaded at 26 to engage with the threads 14 in the bore 13 to detachably tightly secure the illuminating member 22 to the diablo 10.

A spring contact member 27 is positioned in the battery housing 24 and engages the lower end of a battery 28 positioned in the battery housing 24. The socket member 29 is engaged in the outer end of the battery housing 24 to support an electric bulb 30 threaded therein. The bulb 30 is in contact with the central electrode of the battery 28. The spring contact member 27 extends across the disc 23 and is secured by rigid pins 31 formed on the disc 23. A spring contact member 32 is secured to the contact element 27 and extends downwardly from the pin 31 sloping outwardly toward the flange 25. The contact member 32 is confined between a pair of rigid pins 33,34 mounted on the disc 23 and is adapted to swing away from the pin 33 toward the pin 34 under the effect of centrifugal force when the diablo 10 is being spun.

A contact. member 35 has one end engaged in the socket 29 to engage the metallic shell 36 of the bulb 30. The contact member 35 extends across the contact member 32 and has a depending portion 37 positioned to be engaged by the contact member 32 as it moves under centrifugal force. I

The annular flange 25 has an internal annular groove 38 which is adapted to receive and seat a ring 39 integrally formed on the peripheral edge of a translucent dome 40. The dome 40 has an internal block 41 formed axially thereon engaging the bulb 30 to prevent the bulb 30 from becoming detached from the socket 29 or from the battery 28.

In the use and operation of the invention the diablo 10 is spun with a string and diablo sticks in the conventional manner. With the self-illuminating member 22 attached, centrifugal force will cause the contact member 32 to move outwardly into contact with a depending portion 37 of the contact member 35 to complete a circuit between the battery 28 and the bulb 30 to illuminate the translucent dome 40. When it is desired to use the diablo 10 without running the battery 28 down, such as in the daytime, self-illuminating unit 22 may be unscrewed by unscrewing the battery casing 24 from the bore 13, leaving the diablo 10 for conventional use.

Batteries may be changed as required by removing the translucent dome 40, bulb 30 and socket 29.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. A diablo game top comprising a shaft, said shaft having an annular groove formed intermediate its opposite ends for cooperation with a diablo string, a reduced diameter portion formed on each end of said shaft, a pair of bores threaded at their inner ends opening into opposite ends of said shaft, a pair of drums detachably mounted on said reduced diameter portions at opposite ends of said shaft, and a unitary selfilluminating member attached to each end of said diablo top in engagement with the respective adjacent drum and having a battery case threaded into said for completing a contact includes a spring arm movable under centrifugal force and a contact member positioned for engagement by said spring arm during rotation of said diablo.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided internally of said translucent dome for engaging said light bulb to hold said light bulb in engagement with said battery. 

1. A diablo game top comprising a shaft, said shaft having an annular groove formed intermediate its opposite ends for cooperation with a diablo string, a reduced diameter portion formed on each end of said shaft, a pair of bores threaded at their inner ends opening into opposite ends of said shaft, a pair of drums detachably mounted on said reduced diameter portions at opposite ends of said shaft, and a unitary self-illuminating member attached to each end of said diablo top in engagement with the respective adjacent drum and having a battery case threaded into said threaded bore, said member retaining said drum on said reduced diameter portion of said shaft.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said self-illuminating member includes a disc rigidly secured to said battery case, a translucent dome detachably secured to said disc, and centrifugally operated means for closing an electric circuit between a battery in said battery case and a bulb in contact with said battery.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said disc has an annular flange formed thereon with an internal annular groove formed therein, said dome having an integral ring formed on its peripheral edge and adapted for seating in said groove.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for completing a contact includes a spring arm movable under centrifugal force and a contact member positioned for engagement by said spring arm during rotation of said diablo.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided internally of said translucent dome for engaging said light bulb to hold said light bulb in engagement with said battery. 